Mayor ready to force land sale for Manchester United’s new stadium

 

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said he is prepared to use legal powers to acquire land for Manchester United’s proposed stadium redevelopment if negotiations fail. The club plans to demolish the current 74,310-seat Old Trafford and build a £2bn, 100,000-seat replacement. However, some of the land needed is owned by Freightliner, who have valued it at £400m, which is ten times more than United’s valuation.

Burnham stated that while talks are still in their early stages, his office could use compulsory purchase powers if necessary to secure the land. He confirmed that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has approved the creation of a mayoral development corporation, which will manage a masterplan for the area and oversee land acquisition. The main progress is expected in the autumn when the corporation begins its work. Burnham’s comments highlight the importance of the project to the region’s future development and infrastructure.

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Manchester United says the stadium redevelopment could bring major benefits for Greater Manchester and the wider UK. The club estimates the project could create around 92,000 jobs and lead to the construction of 17,000 new homes. It is also expected to attract an additional 1.8 million visitors each year. Economically, the project could add £7.3bn annually to the UK economy, making it one of the most significant developments in the region’s history.

The proposed stadium would be one of the largest in world football and could host sports, entertainment, and community events. Freightliner, the current landowner, has indicated it is open to relocating to a new depot at ILP North, on the border of Warrington, St Helens, and Wigan, which is about 17 miles away. However, the move depends on resolving the valuation dispute with the club.

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Burnham’s willingness to consider compulsory purchase powers shows how determined local leaders are to see the project succeed. If an agreement is reached soon, the redevelopment could proceed as planned, transforming the area around Old Trafford and creating long-term economic growth for Greater Manchester and beyond.